How often have we repeated and yet not really understood the words of Jesus quoted by Paul (Acts 20:35), "It is more blessed to give than to receive." In an effort toward unselfishness or righteousness we may have been endeavoring to follow this advice in our daily living. And yet, more often than not, we may have had to admit dissatisfaction and disappointment with what seems to be mediocre results. If such has been the case, a better understanding of the real meaning of giving is perhaps what is needed.

Giving, unfortunately, is often thought of as merely taking some form of good from oneself and passing it on to another. Having done this—willingly or reluctantly—one may try to find comfort in the words quoted above, faintly hoping, perhaps, that whatever has been given will later and in some form be restored or that generosity will have its reward. But in Christian Science we learn the true significance of giving—why one is blessed by it and why it is the very essence of life. It is because true giving is spiritual, the expression of God's love for His creation. And man, the reflection of God, must forever manifest this Love and its will to give, as he manifests God, Life. As the expression of Mind, man's every thought is imbued with the desire to give, for Mind is Love. To live, then, is to give. One cannot really exist without giving.

When one realizes the source of that which he has to give, he thereby opens the door to eternal abundance. Knowing that man forever reflects the abundance of the goodness of God, one can never feel reluctant or afraid to give, for he knows that man's wealth is unlimited, infinite, ever present. The child of God is always joyously giving forth, intelligence, productiveness, holiness, love, beauty, all the qualities of God, and because he has been divinely endowed with these attributes, he can never be deprived of the ability to express them. Neither can he be impoverished by expressing good, for his supply, which is always at hand, is incapable of being lost or exhausted. A clear understanding of this brings to light the true meaning of Mary Baker Eddy's words in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 79), "Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us."

The desire to give is a step toward the realization that one always has something to give, and therein lies the blessing. Knowing that man possesses as God's reflection the goodness of God, one cannot help wanting to express it— give it, bestow it. The joy of such sharing is one of the greatest blessings one can experience. No sense of martyrdom or self-righteousness can enter into one's giving when one realizes that man's supply is inexhaustible, never ending, always overflowing. Even that which is called one's own possession is seen in a new light as he learns in Christian Science that true substance is God. and that man, His reflection, really expresses substance instead of personally possessing it. Thus one has a true sense of home, of business, of abundance, in proportion to his understanding of God. Realizing Mind to be the source of all true beneficence, he can never be robbed, imposed upon, or rendered incapable of his ability to give.

At one time a student of Christian Science who had long enjoyed bestowing lavish gifts upon loved ones suddenly found herself in a position where she was no longer able to continue this practice. Resentful and a little rebellious, she fell prey to many bitter and self-pitying thoughts, saying to herself, "Here I've been willing to give unselfishly to others, and now the ability is taken from me, while some people hoard and save and never give anything to anybody!"

Finally she turned to the Bible and the works of Mrs. Eddy, searching for the reason for her misfortune. Alternate periods of self-examination and earnest seeking after the truth revealed a surprising and rather unlovely belief about herself. She found, through turning the light of her increased understanding upon the erroneous thoughts claiming to exist in her consciousness, that her giving had been nothing more than a form of egotism. Her gifts had not been expressions of love: they had really been impressive, extravagant evidences of her sizable accumulation of money. And she had hardly even realized it! The pleasure she had derived had lain not in the joy of unselfish giving or in the happiness expressed by those who had received the gifts, but rather in the proud thought of how large the gifts were and how much money had been so generously represented in the presentation of them.

It took her some time to learn that there are many valuable gifts, such as kindness and good will, that cost no money at all. But the experience was a progressive and joyous one, and in the days which followed there came a sense of riches beyond anything she had before known.

On page 304 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy." The joy which accompanies the realization that man eternally and tangibly expresses the divine selflessness of Love is boundless. Reflecting Love, man is never powerless or unwilling to give. As one becomes aware of the true nature of man as the reflection of God, the Giver of all good, he realizes that he must necessarily give freely of that which mankind wants and needs most— understanding, good will, usefulness, loving-kindness, honesty. In such giving lies healing for men and nations.

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal 3:10). As consciousness is filled with the riches of divine Love, we learn that only in true giving do we bless others and ourselves. Whatever is really valuable is ever present. It does not need, nor is it indeed able, to pass from one place to another or from one person to another. This, then, is the whole of giving —to understand and demonstrate man's oneness with Love and Love's universe.